Capital Markets
Capital markets are the vital engine of economic growth, facilitating the flow of capital between those who have it and those who need it to finance businesses, projects, and innovation. This complex arena involves the issuance and trading of securities, such as stocks and bonds, governed by a sophisticated framework of laws, regulations, and market practices. Navigating this landscape requires deep legal expertise to ensure compliance, manage risk, and achieve successful outcomes for all market participants.
In the dynamic and highly regulated environment of capital markets, specialized legal counsel is indispensable. For issuers, underwriters, and investors, expert legal guidance is crucial for:
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance:
Capital markets transactions are subject to stringent regulations set forth by authorities like the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in Saudi Arabia. Legal experts guide clients through these complex rules, including disclosure requirements, listing standards on exchanges like Tadawul, and ongoing compliance obligations, to avoid penalties and maintain market integrity
Facilitating Successful Transactions:
From structuring initial public offerings (IPOs) and debt issuances to managing secondary offerings and complex financial instruments, lawyers play a central role in every stage, ensuring transactions are executed efficiently and effectively
Managing Risk and Protecting Interests:
: Legal advisors help identify and mitigate the diverse risks inherent in capital markets activities, from due diligence and prospectus liability to market conduct and investor relations, safeguarding the interests of their clients.
Enhancing Investor Confidence
: Robust legal oversight, transparent disclosures, and adherence to best practices in corporate governance – all guided by legal counsel – are fundamental to building and maintaining investor trust in both the issuers and the market itself
Navigating Cross-Border Complexity
For international offerings or listings, understanding the interplay of different jurisdictions' securities laws is vital, a role where experienced capital markets lawyers provide essential clarity and coordination.
Saudi Arabia's capital market has seen significant development and growth, aligning with Vision 2030's aims to diversify the economy and deepen financial markets. This evolution brings increased opportunities alongside a more sophisticated regulatory landscape, further underscoring the need for expert legal partners.
SHP Law’s specialists are dedicated to the full spectrum of capital markets activities, representing issuers, underwriters, and other key stakeholders in public and private equity and debt transactions. We offer a comprehensive range of services, leveraging our deep understanding of both conventional and Islamic finance principles.
Initial Public Offerings (IPOs):
Guiding companies through the entire IPO process, from pre-IPO structuring and regulatory approvals to prospectus drafting and listing on Tadawul and international exchanges. This includes IPOs of various investment entities, such as special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs).
Subsequent Public Offerings & Rights Issues:
Advising on follow-on equity offerings, rights issues, and other mechanisms for raising additional equity capital.
Pre-IPO Financing & Convertible Instruments:
Structuring pre-IPO financing rounds and advising on the issuance of convertible bonds and other equity-linked securities.
Ongoing Reporting & Compliance:
Providing continuous advisory services to listed companies on their reporting obligations, corporate governance requirements, and compliance with CMA regulations and transparency directives.
Global Market Listings & Cross-Border Offerings:
Assisting Saudi companies with listings on international exchanges and advising foreign issuers on accessing Saudi capital markets.
Conventional and Islamic Bond Underwritings
Advising on the underwriting and issuance of conventional bonds and Shari'ah-compliant Sukuk (Islamic bonds), representing both issuers and underwriters.
Structured Finance:
Developing and implementing structured finance solutions tailored to client needs.
Debt Restructuring:
Assisting companies in restructuring their debt obligations through capital markets solutions
Regulatory Compliance:
Providing expert counsel on navigating Saudi securities regulations, CMA rules, and Tadawul listing requirements.
Corporate Governance for Listed Companies:
Advising on best practices and mandatory corporate governance standards applicable to publicly traded entities.
Financial Regulatory Compliance:
: Assisting financial institutions and market participants with adherence to the broader financial regulatory framework.
SHP LawOur team combines extensive transactional experience with a nuanced understanding of local market practices and regulatory expectations. We are committed to providing strategic, solutions-oriented advice to help our clients achieve their financing objectives and navigate the complexities of the capital markets with confidence.’s specialists are dedicated to the full spectrum of capital markets activities, representing issuers, underwriters, and other key stakeholders in public and private equity and debt transactions. We offer a comprehensive range of services, leveraging our deep understanding of both conventional and Islamic finance principles.